Boasting stellar scenery, legendary sunsets and lots of fun to be had along its miles of sandy shoreline, the beaches of Cape Cod have been attracting visitors for centuries, no matter what the season. All along the peninsula, the region’s beautiful beaches beckon people to stroll, splash, surf and build sandcastles, or simply relax to the meditative sound of ocean waves.

Read on to discover ten of the Cape’s must-visit beaches.

Coast Guard Beach, Eastham
Part of the 40-mile long Cape Cod National Seashore, Coast Guard Beach is a popular swimming beach set against a backdrop of grass-covered dunes. As welcoming as it is for sunbathing, it’s equally renowned for its varied ecosystems and the opportunity to spot such wildlife as shorebirds and seals along its tidal flats. In peak season, the main parking area is a short distance away at Little Creek, with shuttle transportation available. The beach is also accessible by bike from the Salt Pond Visitor’s Center. Fun fact: Coast Guard Beach has been a mainstay on the list of the top 10 beaches in America released annually by Dr. Stephen Leatherman, also known as “Dr. Beach."

Race Point Beach, Provincetown
This sandy paradise at the tip of Cape Cod is a haven for everyone, from sun worshipers to nature buffs. Race Point is the home of the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station and Race Point Lighthouse, offering both a scenic stroll and a dose of history. From the parking lot entrance down to the tip of the Cape, beachgoers have access to several miles of seacoast and luxurious, soft sand. The area right around the proper limits of the beach are equipped with changing facilities and bathrooms, while the coastline further west, which boasts more wildlife than people, is an ideal location for quiet walks and nature hikes, even in the off-season.

Mayflower Beach, Dennis
Located on Cape Cod Bay, beachgoers love Mayflower Beach for its powdery white sand and clear, calm waters. There’s often a beach volleyball game ready to join, and Mayflower’s mild waves make it an ideal choice for families. At low tide, the water recedes, revealing vast areas of sandbars and tidal pools for kids to frolic in and explore. The beach offers a boardwalk that provides wheelchair accessibility.

Breakwater Beach, Brewster
Miles of tidal flats also make Breakwater Beach a coveted beach for families. At times, the tide goes over a mile out, revealing shallow pools stocked with seashells for collecting and marine sea life to admire. The beach’s calm and warmer bayside waters are also a draw for families. Breakwater Beach offers amenities such as restrooms, outdoor showers and a boardwalk leading to the beach.

Nauset Beach, Orleans
Not to be confused with Nauset Light Beach in Eastham, which is known for the iconic Nauset Lighthouse, Nauset Beach in Orleans is a 10-mile stretch of soft sand and unspoiled landscape that extends all the way to Chatham. A top pick for summer visitors and beachgoers, it has restroom facilities and several on-site food trucks that provide sandwiches, snacks and ice cream. Known for its big waves, the beach is a great place for surfing, swimming, skim boarding and boogie boarding. It’s also home to the only lodging located within the National Seashore, the Nauset Beach Inn.

Old Silver Beach, Falmouth
Old Silver is situated along Buzzards Bay, known for warmer and more tranquil waters, and is revered for its pristine white sand and crystal-clear swimming beach. The beach is divided into sections by rock jetties–one for the general public, one for residents, and one for the guests of the Sea Crest Hotel. In addition to a snack shack and restrooms, there are outdoor showers to rinse off the sand at the end of the day.

Seagull Beach, Yarmouth
Seagull Beach is Yarmouth’s largest beach, located right on Nantucket Sound. Popular with the younger set, it’s a great beach for swimming, beach sports, windsurfing and shell-seeking, and features a boardwalk with wheelchair accessibility, concessions, and restroom and shower facilities. Arrive early to stake out a good spot for your beach day.

Corporation Beach, Dennis
Soft white sand greets visitors to Corporation Beach, and the crescent-shaped shoreline makes it a natural swim beach and perfect for families. Corporation’s expansive sand flats when the tide goes out are one of its most fun features. Beach amenities include a picnic area and playground, restrooms and concessions.

Sandy Neck Beach, Barnstable
Stretching along some seven miles of shoreline, Sandy Neck Beach is Barnstable’s longest beach and is known for its cool water and unique dunes. A favored beach for nature lovers, the park has trails through the dunes, vernal pools, marshes and maritime forests. Sandy Neck also has an equestrian trail and dedicated areas for such activities as off-roading, fat tire biking and fishing.

Marconi Beach, Wellfleet
Named after an Italian inventor who completed the first wireless transatlantic communication in 1903, Marconi Beach is all about the views. Part of the National Seashore, the beach’s most recognizable feature is the 40-foot sand cliff behind it, with a stairway leading down to the beach. Its vastness lends a feeling of solitude, while an observation platform at the Marconi Station provides views of the ocean and bay. Hikers will want to explore the adjacent Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail, a Tolkien-esque boardwalk trail winding through a cedar forest.

​Insider Tip:  Many of these beach parking lots fill up quickly in peak season, so arrive early to get a spot, or plan your beach day for late afternoon when the lots start to clear out.